The inclusion of SS benefits in taxable income is a form of means testing. For a long time SS was totally exempt from income tax. Now anything from 0% to 85% of your benefit is taxed, depending on other income.

We now have a similar sliding scale of Medicare Part B premiums, based on income.

Phil >>

That's right, and for the same reason.

There's an argument for paying a small stipend to keep indigent fools from starving in their old age. There is no good argument for heavily taxing people (or raising already high taxes) in order to continue paying benefits to the well off middle class who should be looking after themselves.